DATE: May 19, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 2 to Participation Agreement with California Mental Health Services Authority for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment No. 2 to Participation Agreement No. 24-304 with California Mental Health Services Authority, to extend the term of the existing Agreement to manage on behalf of counties the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program by one year from June 19, 2026 to June 18, 2027 ($0).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Behavioral Health (Department) the ability to continue participating in the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program. This will allow CalMHSA to manage the Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification Program for Fresno County and adhere to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 14045.14(a)(3) reporting requirements. As with the original Participation Agreement No. 24-304, the term of this amendment is for one year. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the responsibility for managing Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certifications would shift to the Department. The Department would need to redirect resources or add positions to develop and manage the Med-Cal Peer Support Specialist Program. The Department would be required to submit a plan for Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) approval that explains how the certification program will meet all the Federal and State requirements for the certification and oversight of peer support specialists (Welfare and Institutions Code Section14045.14 (a)(3)). The plan would need to include Initial Certification Policies and Procedures, Certification Exam, Biennial Certification Renewal Policie...
Click here for full text